Necktie-stretcher.



J. j` HOLECEK.

NECKIIE STRETCHER APPucAnoN f LED Anfall. 1915.

Patented Feb. 6, M17.

. 5144941443391: n Jaw@ www( JERRY J. HOLECEK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

NECKTIE-STRETCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 27, 191,5. Serial No. 47,638.

To all 'LU/0m it may concern: j

Be it known that I, JERRY J'. Homicnii, a citizen of thevUnited States, residing at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful -improvements in' Necktie- Stretchers, of which the following is a specification. 4

Thil invention relates to stretchers especially adapted to be used for holding neckties or cravats in a stretched condition when not in use, so that when removed from the stretcher the tie will have assumed a neat and tidy and substantially fiat condition, permitting the leads of the tie to hang properly when adjusted to the collar.

It is desired to provide a stretcher of this character consisting of a single piece of metal folded on itself to form relatively separable branches which constitute a stretching head, and means for hplding the branches separated and the folds of the tie maintained in a' stretched or tensioned condition. I

It is further desired to provide a device of the above character which will be simple, inexpensive and constructed so that it is capable of being adjusted to thetie with the utmost facility.

In the drawings,

F igurefl is a plan view showing the application of the stretcher to one of the leads or branches of a, four-in-hand tie.

Fig. Q is a perspective view of the lower portion of the device showing the means -for holding the branches thereof in adjusted positions, relatively.

- another.

4The device consists, essentially, of a single piece of relatively flat metal bent upon itself at its medial point to form a substantially arch-shaped connecting bight l, and as illus-- trated, the sides thereof are twisted substantially at right angles as'at 2 and then extended into relatively separable branch arms 3-`3. The bight or curved connecting portion l is inherently of a kind or character which will permit the arms or branches 3-3 to normally lie substantially parallel to one The arms or branches 3 3 along their other edges, are substantially beveled or reduced so as to form substantially sharp surfaces l for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

The normal form of the branches of the four-in-hand is such that the branch increases in width toward the lower end of the tie, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, hence the present construction of the device, whereby the arms or branches 3-3 can be separated from each other to 4such an eX- tent as is necessary to permit the device to conform in coniguration. withthat of the\ branch of the tie with which it is associated. Further, the construction affords a means whereby the branches 3-3 may be separated to -the positions shown in the drawing Aand the edges 4 thereof presented against the folds of the tie. In this manner the branch or vlead of the tie will be stretched ina most effective manner and the tie made to assume a new, normal and presentable condition.

One of the branches 3 is reversely twisted at its free end, as at 5, and it is then vevtended laterally to form an arcuate branch 6 havingv ratchet teeth 7 on its under side, The other branch has its free terminal formed to provide a guide head 8 having'a vpassage 9 to permit the branch 6 to freely successively engage in the ratchet teeth, and

thereby hold the arms 2%*3 in such requisite positions relatively as may be essential to a proper or, thorough stretching ofthe tie asI will be understood. I

In using the device the branches 3-3 are first adjusted toward each other. vice is then inserted into the tie as shown in Fig. 1, and the arms or branches 3-3 thereof adjusted and separated from each other so 'as to come in close contact with the folds of the tie, pressing thereagainst under such tension as will absolutely remove from the tie all objectionable wrinkles and permit the tie to very readily assume substantially a pressed, nea-t and tidy condition so that it may be again made most presentable for further use. l

The locking device or ratchet branchl 6 through the formation of the loop or curve 5, has a normal tendency to move in the direction of the locking tooth 10. This is preferred both for the purpose of facilitating adjustn'ient of the ratchet branch inthe passage 9 and for the purpose also of causing the ratchet branch to come into positive contact with the locking surface l0 as will be understood.

From the above description taken inconv junction with lthe accompanying drawing, it

The de- Patented -Feb. 6, 1917. 4

ilo

to :i tie and removed' rom the same, and when used upon :i tie, Will effectively remove wrinkles from the tie and leave the Same in o desiredv Het and smooth condition.

V17 hat is claimed yae new is:

A stretcher comprising a single piece of gat. metal Vleent to form a curved connecting portion, straight branches extending from Seid curved portion and being twisted at i theii points' of juncture with the curved por- ',vvtionazmd having their Hot sides lying 'premmately at right angles to the flat sides -of the mid elim/ed portion, one of said 

